I happen to have a major problem with my 18hp opposed twin Kohler. I got my adapter in the mail (to bolt it in the Caterpillar) and sized it up. The holes in the flywheel it bolts to look to be in bad condition. But it gets worse... The engine that I spun over with compression the other day, two full revolutions with no problem.... Now won't make one revolution (about half) either way without stopping solidly.... A sign of a broken connecting rod...... But what else could be wrong!!! Anyone able to save my rear on this??

I know I could part it and make money, but rebuild??? I know I may be able to replace just the connecting rod and while in there both plus the rings if cylinders are ok... I dunno, I need some major help right now.....

Casey, I think you also need to pull the heads. You might find something in there. I once walked away from a Sears because it wouldn't turn over... Turned out it was a hazelnut in there that had gotten in during an extended period without a spark plug... Wished I had bought it, but I can live without.

Had that been a KT17, would have said ROD for sure! The 18's were supposed to be better engines. Check for piston movement if you can see in plug hole, OR remove heads like others say. Not sure what tractor you have, didn't check link, but if good one, is worth fixing I would think.

Had that been a KT17, would have said ROD for sure! The 18's were supposed to be better engines. Check for piston movement if you can see in plug hole, OR remove heads like others say. Not sure what tractor you have, didn't check link, but if good one, is worth fixing I would think.

Yeah, I wouldn't hesitate doing a full rebuild on a M18, you'll never wear it out, and BTW there wont be a cheaper fix, anything else you do will result in another old engine

I acquired the kohler M18 to replace the opposed Briggs 18 in the Caterpillar (the one I can't rely on). So I have 200 dollars in trading stock invested in this M18 and know nothing about it... Except the cost of parts blows.... And I really wasn't thinking it was a rebuild project...

I know some of you say it is worth rebuilding, but if it is fouled, how screwed up could it be and still be worth fixing/ rebuilding?

I acquired the kohler M18 to replace the opposed Briggs 18 in the Caterpillar (the one I can't rely on). So I have 200 dollars in trading stock invested in this M18 and know nothing about it... Except the cost of parts blows.... And I really wasn't thinking it was a rebuild project...

I know some of you say it is worth rebuilding, but if it is fouled, how screwed up could it be and still be worth fixing/ rebuilding?

I don't think they made a better twin the magnum series of twins, your price on parts is sky high compared to a dealer. I priced a rebuild (during the winter) on a Magnum 20 from a local shop, and it wasn't that much more than I could have bought the parts for 700.00 for a total rebuild

Check the air filter to see if all the screws that hold it on are there if they are, pull the heads and see if both pistons move. If your missing one you will have to anyway to retrieve it probably from one of the cyls. Good luck.